"I take life one pixel at a time"-RENDERMAN
"Remember, If you don't laugh at your self, I sure will" Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Autodesk Maya 2014 Certified InstructorWILL.I.AM
My work:http://www.wilsart.com/

I think the original Elan would have to be the best Lotus model ever madeas it set (and still sets) the standard for small 2 seater sports cars and is still relevant today 30+ years on. And it defines Lotus perfectly.

Personally, if the question was what is the best Lotus model you would buy (and make it legal to drive on the road), since I prefer the newer cars, it would probably be a 340R.

I know people will say the 7 is the definitive Lotus but Caterham has improved them so much that although the originals are agrueably more purist they are less relevant today than the Elan so for me it wins.

"People think I'm an idiot or something, because all I do is cut lawns for a living. People don't say that about you...as far as you know."

Obviously asking a 'best' question really has no answer acceptable for everyone.

If the question was...money no object, which Lotus street car would you like to own?

My answer would be first, the Eleven (there were actually a few legal street cars, a guy I know in Baltimore picked his up new at the port in NY 50 years ago, and drove it home to upstate NY from there), second would be a Type 14 Elite.

If there has been or could've been a street legal 23B, that would jump to the front.

"I really started paying attention to cars was when they came out with the Nissan Z, the first body. Then I seen the Cherokees, the old square ones, and I was like, “Wow, that’s cool.” Then I seen the Isuzu jeeps and I seen the Wranglers."
-Lotus Cars VP of Global Design

There's going to be different variations of what people define as "Best". Whether it be the most luxurious, fastest, moisture-in-the-pants looks, lightest, most comfortable, etc.
I would nominate either the 340R or the 2-11, and even lets say a 2010 Exige S260 (which I'm still awaiting delivery on). It's all about the hammer being dropped down.
If I wanted comfort and luxury in a car, I'd buy a Maybach and hire a driver to haul my lazy rich a$$ around.
Just my $0.02
Cheers,

SIMPLE RECIPE FOR EXCITEMENT: Take 1 new Exige. Throw in a supercharger. Add 6 gears. A dash of 94 Octane. A sprinkle of carbon fiber inside and out. Toss in 1 MadMan. And finally heat tires and pavement to taste. Recipe produces 1 Lotus Exige S-260 and full satisfaction. Hammer Down!!

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